He slept for a long time, I didn't know if he'd ever wake up. It was nearly a day and I couldn't move. For the most part he was laying soundly, not making a noise or moving at all. Suddenly he started shaking violently, pulling me as close as he could, tossing and turning. He was having a nightmare, maybe more of a flashback. Either way I couldn't just leave him like that, so I woke him up.

"Alfred...Alfred come on, wake up"

He pushed himself up off of me, tears dripping down his face as his blue eyes pleaded at me. Uncontrollable tremors fell through his body, as he turned away from me, curling his legs up, far into himself. He only stayed that way for a second before jolting back, writhing on the bed. His injuries, I had nearly forgotten. I was finally able to get up, gathering medical supplies from the cabinet in the corner, I brought back bandages and a basin of water.

"It hurts...Hurts so bad Arthur", he muttered, holding his sides and neck.

"I know, Alfred...I know. Can you hold still?"

He nodded slightly, the pain catching up with him after that long sleep. His brain could finally recognize the signals and it was killing him, you could see it in his face. I did what I could to clean him up, wrapping his wounds one by one.

"What were you dreaming about...when I awoke you?", I asked, trying to start some conversation between us. First he didn't answer me, possibly pondering about what he wished to say.

"About what could happen, being here in the hospital like this. What if he came-"

I stopped him right there. I had heard quite enough.

"That's not what is going to occur here, you realise this, correct? I would kick his arse all the way back to Moscow. I'm not letting him hurt you...He'd never get past me"

He smiled gently up at me, knowing that I was telling nothing but the truth. I wouldn't let that bastard touch him again. I am the older brother, I should be able to at least protect him from things such as this.

"What did he do to you, if you don't mind me asking"

"Huh? Oh...", he was really quiet then, searching for the words in his mind. "He was trying to get things outta me, information on anything, anyone. When I wouldn't do it, well, he figured he could make me...That's just what he tried. He attempted everything really; blades, water, syringes, poison, electricity...anything"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Alfred had gone through all of that and there he was. He is a strong country, no doubt about that, but for something that hideous to occur over nearly a month...No wonder he was out of commission for so long, still was technically. I didn't want to ask him details, so I just left it at that.

"I waited, hoped, the entire time that someone would go and get me. It was made pretty clear that I couldn't do it myself, I just couldn't. Every day it still happened. As I was losing it, losing my will to keep it up, that's when I went and did this. I locked away every memory I had, every bit of information, anything that he could use against me. Everything but my body. I hardly remember after I did, it all just seemed routine at that point. I wouldn't let him have a god damn thing, not from me. You guys finding me, my trip here, it is all a blur. When I got up, I couldn't remember anything at all...not a single thing but who I was, even that was a bit fuzzy, still is...I thought I was still in that frozen wasteland. People were touching me, I didn't want to be hurt anymore..."

"Al...they want to help you. These are your people"

"I can't bring myself to let them in here...something is still telling me that they can't be trusted. But you, for some reason I remember you. Everything about you Arthur, and I don't know why", he looked down to the floor, but a smile crept onto his face.

"At least it's something. I did not even have to get shot for it either", I stated jokingly, though that wasn't how he saw it at all.

"I shot Mattie...didn't I?"

"Let's not worry about things such as that. You need to eat something, you're wasting away in here"

"I do feel lighter...and I'm starving"

"Then I will be off. I'll get you something to eat", I said, walking towards the door.

"W-wait! You're just gunna leave me here...?"

"I was going to...", though I saw the terrified and distraught look on his face, "Will you at least eat what they bring you?"

He hesitated, not wanting to answer

"Here you go then, I have a proposition for you. What if I get Matthew to come and bring you something?"

"Okay...That's better", he said, still looking rather unsure about the whole thing.

We waited as I called the Canadian. He was more than willing to come over and bring Alfred a little something to eat.